virtue Alas! experience has fully proved the contrary. Experience shews us daily examples of the fatal consequences of carrying the system of zenana education into practice, in a country where women are called to act an important part on the theatre of society. Without intellect there can be no principle, and without principle there can be no security for virtue.

In order to cultivate the intellectual faculties to advantage, it appears to me that we ought to accompany nature in her progress; and as she gradually unfolds the powers of the mind, that we should devote ourselves to the improvement of each faculty, in the order it is by her presented.

Assuming this as a principle, I shall proceed in the following letters to examine, in the first place, the faculty of PERCEPTION; shewing the advantages that are to be derived from its assiduous cultivation, and the very great disadvantages that accrue from its neglect.

ATTENTION is the next subject that will naturally fall under our consideration. I shall be at some pains to illustrate its importance; and shall not scruple to advance upon it arguments which appear convincing to my own mind, though they are unsupported by the authority of others. If they are founded in truth they will stand the test of investigation; if otherwise, I should be sorry to protract their fall.

CONCEPTION is the next faculty brought forth by Nature. By conception I mean the ideas which we form of absent objects of sense, or of our past sensations. So much depends upon the

vigour of this faculty, that I cannot be at too. much pains to inculcate the necessity of its being cultivated with never-ceasing vigilance. I shall, therefore, do all in my power to urge the careful cultivation of this faculty, by an explanation of the important consequences to which it leads; and shall give you such hints with respect to its improvement, as, I hope, may be found of use to those who are concerned in the practical part of education.

The faculty of JUDGMENT is the next that will demand our attention. I shall trace its progress from its first dawn in the infant mind to its maturity; and though conscious that my abilities are inadequate to the magnitude of my subject, I shall do what in me lies to enforce its importance. To the neglect of this faculty, all the follies, and many of the vices, which abound among us, may be fairly traced. Where the judgment is sound and unperverted, the unruly desires and affections will not revel without control; but in order to the cultivation of sound judgment, it is not only necessary that the affections be uncorrupted, but that they be early engaged on the side of truth.

A

Having dwelt at large on the cultivation of judgment, we shall then proceed to an examination of the faculty of ABSTRACTION. This faculty, though common to all, and susceptible of great improvement, is seldom cultivated to any perfection, but by the few whose course of studies has led them to cherish a turn for speculative enquiry. If general reasoning were indeed useful to none but the philosopher, we

should leave the philosopher to enjoy it as his peculiar prerogative. But if it can be proved to be no less necessary in the conduct of life than in the speculations of philosophy, it becomes our business to endeavour to find out the means which are best adapted to its improvement. These the circumscribed limits of my present plan will not permit me to explain at large; neither are my abilities equal to such a task: but having proved the advantages which result from the cultivation of this faculty, the hints which I shall offer, may be sufficient to direct the mind in search of higher guides.

Subsequent to abstraction I shall place what offers upon the cultivation of TASTE and IMAGINATION, because the faculty of abstraction is necessary to both. A few hints concerning the necessity of cultivating the power of REFLECTION will conclude the series.

And now, my friend, that I have laid before you a compleat view of the plan which it is my intention to pursue, you will be able in some measure to decide upon its propriety. Where I fail in the execution, candour will make allowances for the imperfections of one who makes no pretensions to superior abilities. Placed by Providence in a situation undisturbed by the pressure of life's cares, though by an experience of its sufferings called to serious reflection; blest with leisure, and early inspired with such a taste for enquiry as gives that leisure full employment; I should have deemed myself highly culpable, if I had declined the task to which I was called by friendship, and urged by the hope

which is dear to every generous mind-the hope of being in some degree useful. The arrogance and ambition of a dictator are alike foreign to my heart. But to be an humble instrument in rousing my sex from the lethargy of quiescent indolence, to the exertion of those faculties which the bounty of a kind Providence has conferred; to be the means of turning the attention to those objects which tend to the progressive improvement of the human race, is a species of glory to which, I confess, I am not indifferent. If in this way

"To covet honour be a sin.

"I am the most offending soul alive."

But lest I should be tempted to further egotism, I hasten to assure you how much

I am your's, &c.

LETTER II.

PERCEPTION.

Progressive developemeut of the faculties. Perception explained-Hints towards its cultivation in early infancy -Its connexion with the benevolent affections.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

THERE is no subject more curious in its nature, or that can possibly be more universally interesting, than the manner in which Nature operates in the developement of the rational faculties of man. The slowness of the progress is apt to excite our impatience; while, in fact, it ought to call forth our highest admiration.

A cursory view of what a child acquires in the first two years of its life, will convince us, that were the faculties to open with a rapidity equal to our wishes, the powers of the mind would counteract each other in such a manner as effectually to prevent their ever coming to perfection. Happily, Nature at that early period presents an insuperable bar to our attempts of improving upon her plan. We may indeed counteract her wise designs, by retarding the operation of those faculties which she has then produced, and on the exercise of which depends the strength and vigour of the future powers;